Refrigerator cabinet



July 18, R W HULL REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed Dec. 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 18, 1933. R. w. HULL REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed Dec. 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July '18, 1933 unites stares Parser orsion,

ROBERT w. HULL, or oonNnR-svILLn, INDIANA, assrenon TO nnx rnnurnc'run-ine oo. INC., on connnnsvrnnn, innrnna, A CORPORATION or innrana nnnnrennaron CABINET.

Application filed member 24, 1931. seria inoxssaoeo.

Thisinvention relates to a refrigerator cabinet construction and its object is to provide a structure whereby the usual center pillar between the doors may be eliminated.

Another object is to provide a construction in which either door may be opened and shut independently of the other and when both doors are opened theentire space within the cabinet is accessible since there is no center pillar to obstruct the passage into the cabinet.

Another object is to provide means for tightly sealing the inner edges of the doors when the cabinet is in closed position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

which are made a part hereofand on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 1s a perspective view of a refrigerator cabinet showing the doors with the specific structure applied thereto,

Figure 2, a view in elevation of a portion of the doors with parts shown in section,

Figure 3, a sectional view on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4, a plan view of the compression column attached to-the edge of a door, the door being in open position,

Figure 5, a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 1, and s Figure 6, a sectional view on line 66 of Figure 1.

In the drawings reference character 10 indicates the doors of a refrigerator cabinet 11 and which are provided with the usual packing or strips 12 around the inner faces to provide a tight fit when in closed position. The inner vertical edges of the doors 10 are cut-out to provide grooves 13 in which the compression columns 1% are pivotally secured. The columns 14 are formed of any suitable material and are connected by means of hinges 15 to the front inner side of the grooves and so positioned that the columns 14 tend to swing outwardly from the grooves 13. The hinges 15 may be of any type suitable for the purpose and may be attached to the respective parts by means of the screws 16 as shown in Figure 3.

Bumpers 17 of any suitable compressible material are secured to the columns 1 1 and are adapted to engageione another when the" doors are in closed position. Flat or any appropriate springs 18 are secured at one side by screws 19 or any other suitable means to the bottom of grooves and the other side is slidably secured to columns 14 by any suitable means and shaped so asto hold the columns in the grooves as shown in Figure 4. The columns 14 extend throughout the height of the doors and are provided with plates 20 having a curved portion 21 formed thereon adapted to be mounted on each end of the columns. The portion 21 being formed and positioned on the plate so that the ends extend ,rearwardly. The upper and lower facings of the door opening are each provided atthe center with a plate 22 having pins 23 thereon adapted to engage in the portions 21 to operate the compression columns as the" doors are closed. The plates '20 and 2 2 are secured in position by any suitable means. The facings are also provided with strike plates 24E in which the plungers 25 engage. The plungers'are operated by the door handles 26 and connectingmechanism n'ot'shownz- 1 The operation of the doors is as follows:

Considering the doors in the position as shown in Figure 1, the compression columns are held well within the grooves by means of the springs 18. Upon closing the doors, the curved portions 21 strike the pins 23 on the facing and in doing so ride against the pins .18. The compression columns 14 are pivoted by the hinge to the groove and will swing outwardly and cause the bumpers to firmly engage one another when the doors are completely closed. The-plungers engage their respective strike plates and are held in fixed position as shown in Figure 5. When the doors are opened the pins disengage the curved guide portions and the springs retract the compression columns. I

It may be clearly seen by the above described construction that either or both doors may be opened or shut and when in closed position the action of the compression colthe cabinet. at the center.

any construction where a tight contact between such doors is desirable. It is also possible to apply this construction to a single door in which the compression column can be forced against the door facing. Instead of operating the compression columns in the manner described, it is possible to operate the columns by mechanism (not shown) connected to the door handles. One important advantage of the above described construction is that no center column or pillar is present to obstruct passage into the cabinet or the like thereby. allowing complete access to the entire space within the cabinet.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from. the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and de-' scribed in the specification, but only as indicated by the appended claims. '7

Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a cabinet of the kind described, door sealing means comprising columns pivotally secured to the edges of said doors, resilientmeans attached to and for holding said columns in retracted position, plates having guiding means thereon mounted on the ends 1*. columns, pins positioned onsaid door facing adapted to engage said guiding means for advancing said columns as the doors are closed, substantially as set forth. I

2. In a cabinet of the kind described, door sealing means comprising'columns pivotally secured to the edges of said doors, said columns being provided with rubber bumpers secured to their faces, resilient means attached to and for holding said columns in retracted position, plates having guiding means thereon mounted on the ends of said columns, pins positioned on said door facing adapted to engage said guiding means for advancing said columns as the doors are closed, substantially as set forth.

3. I11 a cabinet of the kind described, door sealing means comprising columns secured to the edges of said doors, means for retractmg said columns as the doors are opened,

sealing means comprising a sealing element" mounted on. the edge of the door, resilient ,IIlGZLIlS attached to said element and biased to hold itin retracted position when said door is in open position, and means operable upon closing saiddoor for advancig said element against the tension of said resilient means, substantially as set forth.

6; In a cabinet of the kind described, door.

sealing means comprising columns pivotally secured to the edges of said doors, means attached to and for holding said columns in retracted position, guiding means mounted on the ends of said columns, pins positioned on said door facing adapted to engage said guiding means for advancing said columns as the doors are closed, substantlally as set forth.

ROBERT W. HULL. 

